For the second consecutive year, Butler men’s basketball has reaped a significant publicity windfall for the University. A study commissioned by Butler’s athletic department found that the Bulldogs’ run to the 2011 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball championship game generated in excess of a half billion dollars in publicity value.

The study, done by Borshoff, monitored and evaluated media coverage of the Butler University men’s basketball team from mid-March to mid-June, 2011. During that period, Butler garnered an estimated publicity value of $512,382,703 through television, print and on-line news coverage. When factoring in social media, the audience reach surpassed 69 billion.

“The incredible exposure that the run to the final game generated goes well beyond the media monitoring report, but this study is an indication of a very significant amount of publicity that Butler has received through our athletics program,” stated Butler Director of Athletics Barry Collier.

“The story of our athletes and their accomplishments in the classroom, as well as on the court, exemplifies the true meaning of student-athlete. And that story has been carried to a much larger audience, thanks to the success of the Butler basketball team,” added Collier.

The study by Borshoff found that the performance of the Butler men’s basketball team generated $60,378,084.41 in television publicity value, $2,792,954.18 in print publicity value and $449,211,664.31 in on-line publicity value. The study did not consider the publicity value of radio broadcasts or talk shows.

That would be too much pressure for the dude. Sure he probably could have made a lot of money at UT. But some of these schools (Kentucky) have unrealistc expectations for their programs. I don't think UT is like that, but Kentucky is one basketball crazy place. The Wildcat fans in Kentucky get upset if their team goes 30-3 and gets bounced in the Sweet- Sixteen! Brad is safe at Butler.